PHILADELPHIA — Tamari Natelauri, 25, swapped college classes for a daily commute from Philadelphia to Voorhees Township, New Jersey, to work at an accounting firm for six months. This opportunity aligns with her career aspirations, though she has yet to graduate from Drexel University. By 2027, she will have spent 11 years in higher education, including time at the Community College of Philadelphia, working towards a business associate degree. Natelauri views this investment as worthwhile due to the valuable accounting experience and professional network she gains.
Approximately 94% of Drexel students engage in at least one six-month co-op, a paid work experience integral to Drexel’s education model since 1919, explains Ian Sladen, VP for cooperative education and career development. “I don’t think anyone’s going to the school and not thinking about their future and how the degree will benefit their future,” Natelauri remarked. These co-ops offer students a chance to sample different industries and find their best fit.
As confidence in higher education wanes due to rising costs and uncertain returns, work-based learning programs like Drexel’s offer a solution. They allow students to gain practical experience while studying, potentially easing their transition into the workforce. Manny Contomanolis, former president of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, emphasizes the importance of combining different learning modalities for today’s students.
Interest in these programs is growing, with other universities expanding career counseling and partnering with businesses. However, co-op programs require significant resources, and even established ones like Drexel’s face challenges. Drexel’s financial struggles, marked by a $63 million operating loss, have led to workforce reductions but have not affected the co-op program. Despite these hurdles, the cooperative education model, rooted in institutions like the University of Cincinnati, remains popular in North America.
Running a successful co-op program involves building employer relationships, a task some universities outsource to companies like Riipen. Riipen connects students with employers through project postings, offering real-world experience as part of class curriculums or paid jobs. Co-founder Dana Stephenson aims to expand students’ access to such training, highlighting the vital role of initial work experiences.
Natelauri, originally from Tbilisi, Georgia, chose Drexel for its work experience opportunities, using co-op earnings to offset tuition costs. She represents the 25% of Drexel students who receive Pell grants. Despite some prior work experience, Drexel ensures students are prepared for co-ops through a mandatory course, Co-op 101, which covers job application skills and professional etiquette.
After completing Co-op 101, students seek jobs through Drexel’s career center, with most positions listed on a university website. Despite the competitive nature of co-op placements, Natelauri secured a top-choice job paying $25 per hour. About 85% of co-op positions offer pay, averaging $21 per hour.
Employers often view co-ops as a talent pipeline, with many students receiving job offers from co-op employers. Drexel data shows 88% of respondents found jobs in their field post-graduation, with 48% hired by co-op employers. Companies like Saxbys Coffee offer unique co-op experiences, allowing students to manage on-campus operations, fostering leadership skills and career readiness.
While co-op programs offer career exposure, they may extend time in school. Drexel students typically graduate in five years with three co-ops. Despite trade-offs, co-ops provide invaluable experience, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application.
Natelauri’s co-op at an accounting firm altered her career aspirations, steering her from tax-related work to auditing. Her experience highlights the transformative impact of co-ops on students’ career trajectories, emphasizing the importance of practical learning in higher education.
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